Teas For Fasting

The best way to drain toxins out of your body, according to our tutor Vania, is through fasting. We already dealt with fasting in another article so in this one I’d like to learn with you some of the tea options we could use while on a fast – which would really be a food fast and allow for a few drinks. According to Vania, you shouldn’t take therapeutic teas during fasting. But you can definitely take non-therapeutic ones for hydration and for postponing the feeling of hunger. Here’s a quick list of some of the best teas for fasting: green tea, black tea, ginger tea, hibiscus tea, mint tea, roobios tea.

Let’s review them one by one.

Green Tea

In our course 445 Orthomolecular Approaches, which I refer to often because it’s so rich in informations, we have a special section on green tea. Indeed, green tea contains catechins, also called flavonols. It’s an antioxidant and it also has the property to help with weight loss. It is usually indicated in cases of hepatitis, cancer or obesity. There are no known contraindications or precautions. The most recommended food source for catechins is green tea, particularly Japan Sencha green tea. It seems that drinking 3 to 5 cups of green tea per day is optimal. In certain cases, green tea extract can cause stomach upset and constipation – so of course each one has to act according to how his body reacts. Here are some additional recommandations:

Drink green tea in the morning around 10:00 to 11:00 pm or early at night. You can drink a cup of green tea between meals, for example, two hours before or after to maximize the nutrient intake and iron absorption. If you are an anemia sufferer, avoid drinking green tea along with food.

Black Tea

Black tea is a product made from the Camellia sinensis plant. The aged leaves and stems are used to make medicine. Green tea, which is made from fresh leaves of the same plant, has some different properties. Black tea is used for improving mental alertness as well as learning, memory, and information processing skills.

Studies have shown that black tea may enhance weight loss and help fight belly fat. Increasing evidence hints that the antioxidants in black tea may reduce atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), especially in women. It may also help lower the risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease. Green tea is ahead of black tea in its antioxidant quality and quantity. -Black tea contains 1/3rd the amount of caffeine your coffee contains. -It hydrates the body and strengthens the immune system with bacteria-fighting antioxidants and promotes blood flow to the brain. -It improves focus and concentration.

Typically, it is better to consume tea after meals and snacks as this will help in digestion and activate your metabolism to break down the food.

Ginger Tea

• Boosts immunity.
• Relieve nausea.
• Improve stomach performance.
• Reduce inflammation.
• Fight respiratory problems.
• Improve blood circulation.
• Relieve menstrual discomfort.
• Relieve stress.

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea contains flavonoids (read our recent article on the subject of flavonoids) that reduce the absorption of fats. For example, if you sip on a cup after dinner, your body won’t be so quick to cling to the unwanted fats from your hearty meal.

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consuming hibiscus tea lowered blood pressure in people at risk of high blood pressure and those with mildly high blood pressure. Study participants consumed three 8-ounce servings of hibiscus tea or a placebo beverage daily for 6 weeks. Even the overconsumption of hibiscus tea may cause transient dizziness and fatigue due to its effect on blood pressure. Like other herbal teas, hibiscus tea may interfere with certain medications. These include antihypertensive drugs in which the coadministration of hibiscus may cause hypotension (low blood pressure).

Drinking hibiscus tea daily is a great way to help weight loss, as this plant contains anthocyanins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids that can help to: Regulate the genes involved in lipid metabolism, boosting fat elimination; Mitigate adipocyte hypertrophy, reducing the size of fat cells. Some studies found that the antioxidants in hibiscus were helpful in restoring and supporting damaged kidneys. Speaking of kidneys, hibiscus appears to be a good friend to the entire urinary tract.

Mint Tea

Peppermint tea is a popular herbal tea that is naturally calorie- and caffeine-free. Some research has suggested that the oils in peppermint may have a number of other health benefits, such as fresher breath, better digestion, and reduced pain from headaches. Peppermint tea also has antibacterial properties. Peppermint tea is an aromatic drink that can even beat your fancy cup of joe or green tea. This interesting beverage is not only low in calories but also curbs unwanted hunger cravings and boosts digestions – all of this has direct relation with weight loss.
Peppermint tea may help soothe gastrointestinal ailments, including stomach aches and pains, cramps, heartburn, gas/flatulence, indigestion, and diarrhea.

Because peppermint tea is naturally free of caffeine, you can drink it at any time of day. Enjoy it as a post-meal treat to aid digestion, in the afternoon to boost your energy or before bed to help you relax.

Roobios Tea

Rooibos is a broom-like legume plant from South Africa. When brewed as a beverage, it creates red rooibos tea, which is rich in iron, potassium fluoride, and magnesium. There is some evidence that rooibos tea can increase antioxidant levels in your body. The ticktocktea group tells us: “Rooibos tea is incredibly smooth and gentle with a natural sweetness and slightly nutty taste. When brewed for longer, rooibos is full-bodied and rich, and you can smell the warm woody notes rising from your cup or teapot.”

Rooibos tea is known as a bronchodilator, which not only relieves respiratory conditions, but generally reduces high blood pressure, which can cause dangerous cardiovascular diseases. The high antioxidant levels in Rooibos tea could support healthy sperm and a higher sperm count.

As a general rule of thumb, if you drink something with less than 50 calories, then your body will remain in the fasted state. So, your coffee with a splash of milk or cream is just fine. Tea should be no problem either.